Perception of children and mothers regarding dental aesthetics and orthodontic treatment need: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe normative orthodontic treatment need, established by dental professionals during the dental appointment, becomes ineffective when it does not evaluate all the factors that influence the decision-making process, including individuals’ perception and satisfaction with their dental appearance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of children and their mothers as regards orthodontic treatment need and satisfaction with dental aesthetics and test if these variables are associated with the objective orthodontic treatment needs, assessed by the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 308 children aged 12 years, and their mothers were randomly selected by cluster sampling (primary schools). The variables “orthodontic treatment need,” “satisfaction with chewing,” and “dental appearance” were assessed by means of a questionnaire. The questions were answered individually at school or home, in cases of children or mothers, respectively. DAI was assessed to make an objective clinical assessment. The variables were dichotomized and statistically analyzed by the chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, contingency coefficient C, and logistic regression.ResultsThe results of the clinical evaluation (DAI) were statistically associated with the perception of orthodontic treatment need and satisfaction with dental appearance in children (p ≤ 0.01). However, no association was observed with regard to satisfaction with chewing and DAI (p = 0.10). The children’s perception of orthodontic treatment need and satisfaction with the appearance of their teeth was statistically associated (p ≤ 0.01) with their mothers’ perception. Maxillary overjet, maxillary and mandibular misalignment, and dental crowding were associated with the orthodontic treatment need by children and their mothers, with p value −0.05 and 5 % level of significance. Maxillary overjet was a significant predictor for the perception of orthodontic treatment need in children (OR 1.86, 95 % CI 0.98–3.55) and mothers (OR 3.02, 95 % CI 1.54–5.92).ConclusionsChildren and parents realize the need for orthodontic treatment according to the different types of malocclusion, as noted in the association between orthodontic treatment need and dental appearance perceived by children and their mothers, which was also observed—with low correlation—with regard to DAI.

Orthodontic treatment needs: parents and child perception

“…Several related studies revealed that patients' and parent's points of view are very important in determining the orthodontic treatment plan. 3,6,10,11 The study found that there is a statistically significant relationship between the perception of parents and their child to have the orthodontic treatment. The patient and parents' concerns are important factors in making decisions about their child's treatment.…”

“…7 associated with their mothers' perception. 10 Mothers are considered as surrogates for assessing their children's dental health-related quality of life. However, there have been disagreements in the literature about how well children's and parents' perceptions compare.…”

“…However, there have been disagreements in the literature about how well children's and parents' perceptions compare. [9][10][11] As a child matures into a teenager, the child's dependency on his or her parents gradually diminishes as they gain independence and autonomy. 12 Even though children are assumed to be less conscious of their orthodontic treatment needs than their parents, studies have shown that after orthodontic correction, children are more content and have higher self-esteem than before treatment.…”

Orthodontic status and treatment need of 13 to 15 year-old children in Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa: An epidemiology study using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI)

“…Shenuka Singh: Supervisor -review and revision of write up -20% personal relationships, 4,5 and is also associated as an aetiological factor in sleep-related breathing disorders. 6,7,8 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has included malocclusion under the heading of Handicapping Dentofacial Anomaly 9 which is defined as an anomaly which causes disfigurement or impedes function, and that treatment is required should the functional disability impact on the individual's well-being. 10,11 Malocclusion is listed as the third priority of oral health problems, after dental caries and periodontal disease, in children and young adults.…”

O Impacto Da Maloclusão No Sistema Estomatognático

“…De acordo com as análises dos dados, foi evidenciada maior atividade eletromiográfica normalizada na posição de repouso mandibular para músculos masseteres, temporais e supra-hioideo no GIII, com diferenças significantes para o músculo masseter direito e músculo temporal direito. As maloclusões podem produzir alterações funcionais na mastigação, ATM e postura corporal em crianças com maloclusão moderada que necessitam de tratamento ortodôntico por causa do trespasse, incompetência labial, mordida cruzada posterior ou anterior, mordida aberta anterior e sobremordida exagerada, mas sem trauma nos tecidos gengivais [9]. Valores dos registros eletromiográficos indicam atividade elétrica muscular e quando ocorrem hiperatividades musculares em indivíduos com maloclusão, provavelmente está acontecendo desequilíbrio na função do sistema estomatognático [10].…”